The Loch & Quay, a refined destination known for its upscale dining experiences, local cuisine, and scenic waterfront ambience, takes great pride in its craft cocktail program. While many establishments rely on mass-produced spirits and artificial mixers, we believe in celebrating the bounty of our regional food shed through thoughtfully composed libations that capture the essence of our locale.
Regional Ingredients
Local Produce
At The Loch & Quay, we work closely with nearby farms and producers to source the freshest, most flavorful ingredients for our cocktails. Local apples, berries, citrus, and other seasonal fruits lend vibrant notes to our creations, while herbs like lavender, fennel, and rosemary from our on-site garden imbue our drinks with herbaceous complexity.
Foraged Botanicals
Our skilled foragers scour the rolling hills and dense forests surrounding The Loch & Quay, unearthing unique wild botanicals that add unexpected twists to our cocktail menu. Elderflowers, pine tips, and sumac berries are just a few of the foraged finds that our bartenders masterfully incorporate, lending our libations distinctive regional character.
Indigenous Herbs and Spices
The culinary traditions of the Scottish Highlands inform many of our cocktail recipes, with locally sourced sea buckthorn, bog myrtle, and meadowsweet playing starring roles. These indigenous herbs and spices, coupled with small-batch spirits distilled mere miles from our doorstep, evoke the rugged yet refined essence of our coastal setting.
Craft Cocktail Culture
Artisanal Mixology
At The Loch & Quay, we view cocktail-making as a true craft, on par with the culinary artistry that defines our kitchen. Our bartenders are highly trained, knowledgeable professionals who meticulously blend spirits, botanicals, citrus, and other ingredients to create libations that are both technically precise and delightfully unexpected.
Cocktail Trends
While we take great pride in reinterpreting classic cocktails through the lens of our regional terroir, we also stay attuned to the latest mixology trends. Barrel-aged cocktails, low-ABV aperitifs, and transportive tiki-inspired concoctions are just a few of the innovative categories that grace our ever-evolving menu.
Experimental Techniques
Our bartenders are constantly experimenting with new techniques, from sous vide infusions and carbonation to clarification methods and smoke essences. These advanced preparations allow us to extract the purest, most concentrated flavors from our regional ingredients, elevating our cocktails to new levels of complexity and refinement.
Distillation and Fermentation
Small-Batch Distilleries
The Loch & Quay has forged deep relationships with the region’s best small-batch distilleries, enabling us to showcase their exceptional spirits in our cocktail program. From the smoky, herbaceous gins of Edinburgh’s Pickering’s Gin to the award-winning single malts of the Isle of Islay’s Laphroaig, these hyper-local liquors are the cornerstones of our libations.
Craft Breweries
Alongside our craft cocktails, we also highlight the stellar selection of regional beers available at The Loch & Quay. Collaborating with nearby breweries like the award-winning Bellfield Brewery in Edinburgh, we’ve curated a diverse tap list that complements our seasonal cuisine and showcases the depth of Scotland’s thriving craft beer scene.
Winemaking
Our wine program, too, champions the talents of vintners throughout the Scottish Lowlands and beyond. Whether it’s the crisp, mineral-driven whites of the Fife region or the bold, fruit-forward reds of the Borders, our thoughtfully curated list celebrates the terroir-driven elegance of local viticulture.
Sustainable Bartending
Zero-Waste Practices
At The Loch & Quay, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact in every facet of our operations, including our cocktail program. Our bartenders employ zero-waste practices, repurposing citrus peels, spent botanicals, and other byproducts in syrups, bitters, and garnishes to minimize waste and maximize flavor.
Eco-Friendly Garnishes
Speaking of garnishes, we take great pride in the thoughtful, eco-friendly accents that crown our cocktails. Dehydrated fruit slices, edible flowers, and foraged greenery not only enhance the visual appeal of our drinks but also underscore our deep connection to the surrounding landscape.
Ethical Sourcing
We extend our sustainability ethos to the sourcing of our core ingredients, establishing direct partnerships with small-scale distilleries, breweries, and farms that share our commitment to ethical, environmentally conscious practices. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of our cocktails while supporting the local economy and preserving the health of our regional food system.
Flavor Profiles
Seasonal Flavors
The Loch & Quay’s cocktail menu is a reflection of the rhythms of the Scottish seasons. In spring, we might feature a bright, floral Scottish Mule made with rhubarb-infused gin, ginger beer, and locally foraged meadowsweet. As summer transitions to autumn, our libations take on deeper, more nuanced notes, like the Bonfire Old Fashioned, which combines smoky Islay whisky, maple syrup, and an essence of roasted chestnuts.
Botanical Infusions
Botanicals are the beating heart of our craft cocktail program, imbuing our drinks with layers of complexity and regional character. Whether it’s the piney juniper and citrusy coriander of our signature gin rickey or the herbaceous sweetness of our lavender-infused vodka, these carefully curated botanical blends elevate our libations to new heights of flavor.
Savory Notes
While many cocktail menus emphasize sweet and citrus-forward profiles, we also celebrate the savory side of mixology at The Loch & Quay. Ingredients like smoked sea salt, black pepper, and rosemary lend an umami-rich dimension to our drinks, complementing the rich, fatty flavors of our locally sourced charcuterie and artisanal cheeses.
Cocktail Recipes
Classic Cocktail Riffs
Our bartenders take great pride in reinterpreting time-honored cocktails with a distinctive regional twist. The Islay Negroni, for instance, swaps London Dry gin for a peaty Islay single malt, while the Caledonian Manhattan features a custom-blended Scotch whisky and a housemade cranberry-thyme vermouth.
Signature Cocktail Creations
Alongside our reimagined classics, The Loch & Quay also offers a rotating selection of original cocktail creations that showcase the ingenuity of our award-winning mixology team. The Thistle Sour, a standout on our current menu, combines local heather-infused gin, fresh lemon, and egg white for a silky, frothy libation with a delicate floral finish.
Non-Alcoholic Options
For our mindful guests or those simply seeking a refreshing respite, we also offer a thoughtful selection of zero-proof cocktails that don’t compromise on flavor or complexity. The Elderflower Spritz, featuring locally foraged elderflowers, sparkling water, and a touch of citrus, exemplifies our commitment to crafting elevated, non-alcoholic beverages that cater to all tastes and preferences.
Mixology Equipment
Specialty Glassware
At The Loch & Quay, we recognize that the presentation of a cocktail is just as important as its composition. Our bartenders carefully select glassware that enhances the visual appeal and aromatic properties of each drink, from snifters and coupes to highballs and tiki mugs.
Unique Barware
Beyond the glasses, our bartenders also utilize an array of specialized tools and equipment to ensure precise measurement, efficient preparation, and thoughtful garnishing. Vintage-inspired jiggers, custom-made ice molds, and unique bar spoons are just a few of the carefully curated barware pieces that contribute to the overall experience of our craft cocktails.
Bartender’s Tools
Of course, the true heart of our mixology program lies in the skilled hands of our bartenders, who wield a collection of time-honored tools – from muddlers and citrus reamers to shakers and strainers – to craft each libation with meticulous attention to detail.
Cocktail Pairing
Artisanal Foods
At The Loch & Quay, we believe that our craft cocktails are best experienced alongside thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced cuisine. Our kitchen team works in close collaboration with our bartenders to develop pairings that highlight the complementary flavors of our regional ingredients, such as a heather honey-infused whisky sour paired with a platter of Scottish baked brie with forest berry compote.
Gourmet Snacks
For a more casual dining experience, our bar menu features an array of artisanal snacks that beautifully enhance our craft cocktails. From house-smoked salmon rillettes and whipped Camembert with candied walnuts to salt-and-vinegar potato chips and rosemary-parmesan shortbread, these elevated bites showcase the bounty of our local purveyors.
Cheese and Charcuterie
No visit to The Loch & Quay is complete without indulging in our expertly curated selection of Scottish cheeses and artisanal charcuterie. These rich, flavorful accoutrements are the perfect accompaniment to our spirit-forward cocktails, with each pairing designed to amplify the complementary notes between the drink and the dish.
Locavore Lifestyle
Farm-to-Glass Movement
At the heart of our craft cocktail program is a deep commitment to the farm-to-glass movement, which emphasizes the use of hyper-local, sustainably produced ingredients. By fostering direct relationships with regional growers, foragers, and producers, we’re able to ensure the integrity and traceability of every element that goes into our libations.
Community Supported Agriculture
In keeping with our locavore ethos, The Loch & Quay is a proud member of a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, which provides us with a rotating selection of the freshest, most seasonal produce from nearby farms. This collaborative approach not only supports our local food economy but also inspires our bartenders to create truly unique, terroir-driven cocktails.
Locavore Events and Festivals
Throughout the year, The Loch & Quay hosts a variety of locavore-focused events and festivals that celebrate the bounty of our regional food and drink scene. From foraging workshops and small-batch distillery tastings to hyper-local cocktail competitions and farm-to-table dinners, these immersive experiences allow our guests to fully immerse themselves in the craft cocktail culture of the Scottish Highlands.
Whether you’re a discerning cocktail enthusiast or a dedicated locavore, The Loch & Quay invites you to explore the rich, flavorful world of craft cocktails with regional flair. Through our commitment to artisanal mixology, sustainable practices, and the celebration of local terroir, we aspire to redefine the boundaries of what a cocktail can be. We look forward to welcoming you and raising a glass to the bounty of the Scottish Highlands.